Ecological Living and all that goes into it. Here are some of my favorite Architectural Plans and ideas for rural sustainable living, off the grid. Surely, if I had it to do all over again, Architecture would have been added to my metier. It's never too late!
Feel free to comment or make suggestions.
If you would like to post your own notices here, or useful company info, send an email to CTodd1000 (at) gmail.com. Gracias!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Biomass Charcoal Briquetting

The agricultural residues are produced abundantly after harvest of each crop in our villages. Most of these residues are burnt in the open field. However using Biomass Charcoal Briquetting technologies, these residues, can be used for generating an alternative fuel which is cost effective and environmentally friendly. It can also add income to the family.What is briquetting
Briquetting is the process of converting low bulk density biomass into high density and energy concentrated fuel briquettesMethodology
There are two different methods of charcoal making.
1. Direct method The direct method is to heat and form an incomplete combustion of the organic matter that results in the formation of charcoal.
2. Indirect method In the indirect method an external heat source is used to "burn" organic matter kept in a closed but vented airless chamber. The indirect method results in production of high quality charcoal with less smoke and pollutants

Collect the locally available biomass, sort them, chop the large-size raw materials into smaller pieces and dry at sunlight.2. Carbonization
i. Designing the Furnace
• Outer drum : A 200lits. metal oil drum with the top cut out and a 12" width x 10" height hole cut in the lower side
• Two iron rids (8”) has to be fixed at the bottom of the metal drum running parallel from one side to the other side. This iron rods act as base to support the stainless steel inner drum.
• Inner drum : A 100lits stainless steel drum with proper lids and six (3/8") holes at the bottom.
• The inner drum is placed into the larger drum.

ii. Carbonizing the biomass
• The biomass is tightly packed into the inner drum and fired for 45minutes to 1hr (Depending upon the biomass) using biomass.
• After firing, the carbonized biomass in the inner drum has to collected and weighed. In this method 30 % of carbonized char can be obtained.

3. Preparation of binder
The binder material is used for strengthening the briquettes For every 100 kg of total weight of carbonized charcoal powder, prepare a binder mixture by adding 5 to 6 kg of starch or cassava flour to 60 - 100 litres of water (based on the weight of the raw materials)4. Mixing
Mix such that every particle of carbonised charcoal material is coated with binder. It will enhance charcoal adhesion and produce identical briquettes.5. Briquetting. The charcoal mixture is made into briquettes either manually or using machines. Pour the mixture directly into the briquetting mould / machine to form uniform-sized briquettes.6. Drying and Packaging
Collect the briquettes in a tray, dry them under the sunlight, pack them in plastic bags and sealGeneral Characteristics of briquettes
Moisture : 7.1%-7.8%
Volatile Matter : 13.0%-13.5%
Fixed Carbon : 81.0%-83.0%
Ash : 3.7%-7.7%
Sulfur : 0.0%
Heating Value : 7,100-7,300 kcal/kg
Density : 970kg/m3

Advantages of the technology:

1. Smokeless: The charcoal briquettes burn without any smoke during ignition and burning.
2. Low Ash content: Minimum residual ash is formed (less than 5% of the original weight of the charcoal).
3. Higher Fixed Carbon & calorific value: Normally the concentration of fixed carbon will be about 82%. The calorific value of charcoal briquettes is 7500 Kcal/KG.
4. Odourless: The biomass charcoal briquette contains minimum evaporative substances, thus eliminating the possibility of odour. 5. Longer burning hours: Two times longer burning hours compared to hardwood charcoal.
6. Sparkless: These charcoal briquettes will not produce sparks as compared to hardwood charcoal.
7. Less crack & better strength: Less crack & better strength make the charcoal burn for a long time.

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About Me

I live between Oxford, North Carolina, New York City USA and Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, Central America; build and garden in both. LOVE IT!
Aquarius, Year of the Tiger
Email info and suggestions to CatherineTodd2 (at) gmail (dot) com.